IT HAS borne witness to joyous family occasions for more than a century and a half, surviving two world wars and the terms of 28 prime ministers.

IT HAS borne witness to joyous family occasions for more than a century and a half, surviving two world wars and the terms of 28 prime ministers.

Now a delicate lace christening dress made during Queen Victoria’s reign has been brought out yet again – to mark the newest arrival to join one of Cardiff’s most enduring family traditions.

Yesterday, newborn Maisey Eleanor became the 35th member of the Hoskins family, from Penylan, Cardiff, to be christened in the heirloom dress made by her great-great-great-great-grandmother.

The daughter of Phil Hoskins, 28, and 20-year-old Hayley Frost – born on March 12 at the University Hospital of Wales, where she weighed 7lbs 1oz – was baptised at St Peter’s Roman Catholic church in Roath.

She also marked the fifth generation of the Hoskins family to be christened at St Peter’s, stretching back to her great-great-grandfather George – with every immediate family member christened at the same church since.

Among those to be christened in the gown and church was a former Lord Mayor of Newport, Alderman George Hoskins.

Proud dad Phil said: “It has come down through all the generations of the family for over 150 years, so it’s a huge honour to have Maisey christened in it.

“We are hoping that she can see her kids christened in the same dress, even though it’s so old. Hopefully it will outlive us.”

Mum Hayley said the family wanted to carry on a “proud tradition”.

She said: “It’s a long tradition, and the Hoskins are a proud family and everyone is keen to keep it going.”

The delicate dress – made from lawn fabric and lace – is kept safe by Maisey’s great-grandparents Jean, 85, and George, 89, in sealed plastic to protect it for as long as possible.

Maisey’s second cousin, Katie Hoskins, who was christened in the gown in 1980, even flew in from Sydney, Australia, for the ceremony.

Great-grandmother Jean said: “The whole family has been baptised in that church, all were married there – funerals there too. It has been our local church through the generations.

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I have just read a Lib-Dem newsletter delivered to a house in Roath, which has a paragraph saying that Cardiff council has been in discussions with ASH exploring how spaces around children’s play areas are kept clear of smoking.

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